LOUDER THAN WORDS written by Rachel Larkin D14-11 March

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6 LOUDER THAN WORDS written by Rachel Larkin D14-11 March

7 1. INT. MUSIC CLASSROOM CLEARWELL, 11, strides into the music classroom, wild hair hanging loose and covering her ears, hands drumming against her chest as she holds onto her backpack. Her backpack is covered with patches of drummers from Buddy Rich to Keith Moon. A battered old drumsticks bag is slung over her shoulder. The classroom is filled with equal measures of students and musical instruments, but there's no sound from the outside world - only a persistent drum beat. Amy takes a seat next to a GIRL, aged 11, who is leaning forward to play a handclap game with the STUDENT in front of her. The claps from the game meld with the beat of drum. Amy's desk is her drum set, and with her drumsticks she taps out a single stroke roll, followed by a double., late 30s, a stern and straight edged woman, is at the front of the class, writing her name on the white board. Movement at the door - there stands two students, both as blonde as each other and immaculate in their school blazers - NICK DARCY, 17, a lanky senior student with a tie covered in badges from "Prefect" to "Music Captain", and DARCY, an 11 year old wisp of a girl who hides behind her art book. Nick prompts Sarah forward discreetly before leaving. Sarah now stands alone amidst a pulsing sea of unknown children. Her timid eyes narrow in on an empty desk near the back. As she goes to sit, JEREMY CIKES, a snobbish looking boy across from Amy sticks his leg out. Sarah stumbles. Amy grabs her drum stick, swiftly rapping Jeremy's knuckles. Hey! JEREMY Sarah hurries on, shuffling down into her seat, opening her art book and beginning to draw. Amy gets up and plonks herself down next to Sarah. Miss Shea turns, looking at Amy. Amy smiles back - butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Miss Shea smiles sweetly, but her eyes are sharp. Jeremy looks back to Amy, and then shys away from Amy's glare.

8 2. Amy looks at her desk-mate's drawing. She grabs a piece of paper, writing a quick note - I LIKE YOUR DRAWINGS - and sliding it across the desk to Sarah. A shy grin from Sarah. She leans towards Amy, whispers. Thanks. Amy frowns. Looks intently at Sarah's mouth. Sees that Sarah's attention has diverted to Miss Shea, and looks to the front of the class. Books out. First day doesn't mean we waste time. Another scrawled note reads: MY NAME'S. WHAT'S YOURS? Amy pulls two pieces of plastic from her pocket - hearing aids. Subtly, she slips one hearing aid back on. Again, Sarah whispers her response. Sarah. Sarah looks from Amy's ears to the pen and paper, then starts writing a new note. Some housekeeping to start with - concert band auditions are tomorrow and I hope I'll be seeing lots of you there. Both hearing aids in now, Amy straightens in her seat, eyes locked on Miss Shea. Her hands tap on the desk. (CONT D) We've got lots of concerts coming up - like the All Schools Competition in a few weeks. A beat. Miss Shea turns to write on the whiteboard. (CONT D) But don't bother if you're not ready to take it seriously. And anyway - we need to see if you can read music first. Let's talk about the treble clef. Sarah taps Amy on the shoulder and hands her the note.

9 3. (CONT D) No passing notes, girls. Sarah jumps. Amy looks down. Sorry, miss....sorry. As Miss Shea turns away, Amy opens the note. It reads: ARE THOSE HEARING AIDS? Amy nods, keeps her eyes on Sarah, gauging her reaction. Sarah scribbles a response - COOL. Amy's face relaxes in relief. 2. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY The school bell echoes. Amy and Sarah stand in front of an AUDITION NOTICE. Plastic sleeves filled with sheet music have been put up next to the notice, labelled by instrument. Amy writes her name down quickly and boldly in the 9:15am slot. She grabs a piece of sheet music - the title, STEAMBOAT MADNESS. Amy turns to Sarah, speaks aloud - Do you play? Percussion. Marimba usually. Sarah sounds as un-passionate as one can be. Sweet! Show me what you've got! As she speaks, Amy signs the word "show," then grabs Sarah's hand, leading her to the music room. Sarah follows, dragging slightly behind. 3. INT. SCHOOL PERCUSSION ROOM Sarah stands at the edge of the room once Amy stops pulling her. She looks at the honours boards on the wall - MUSIC CAPTAINS. Amy grabs a set of mallets and chucks them to Sarah - who awkwardly catches. Amy propels the marimba forward with her weight. Sarah points to a name on the wall - NICK DARCY.

10 4. That's my brother. Amy looks the music captain from 25 years ago. BEN CLEARWELL. She signs something absently - two fingers from each hand, tapping each other twice - "DAD." Sarah looks at the sign, inquisitive. Amy stares at the board for another moment. Moves suddenly - leaves the marimba with Sarah, and stands by the drum kit. A casual drum roll - Sarah jumps. Generally a drum roll leads to something... Amy pretends to hit a cymbal crash - stopping just short. Amy takes her hearing aids out, puts her hands on the edge of the marimba. Hesitatingly, Sarah begins to play. It's sweet and slightly faltering, Amy's hands stay rigid on the instrument, watching Sarah. Sarah makes a mistake, stops. Amy claps by waving and shaking her hands - the Deaf Clap. What're you doing? Clapping. Why? You played good. Why's that clapping though? Amy leans in to Sarah, as if to tell her a secret. She speaks at the same volume. Because it sounds the same to me. 4. INT. SCHOOL LOCKERS The bell rings. Amy and Sarah walk down the hall towards Nick. Amy has her drumsticks in her hands, demonstrating to Sarah.

11 5. Wrists like this. Amy shows her wrists to Sarah, and quickly drums on a locker door. Sarah laughs, but stops abruptly as Jeremy points at her and pulls a face. Amy turns, armed with her drumstick, and he stops. Nick watches the exchange from slightly further down the hall, a small football under his arm. NICK Home time, Sarah! Heads! Throws the ball. Sarah turns, but Amy doesn't. The ball hits Amy in the head. Her hearing aids slip out. Shock on Nick's face - he's mucked up. Sarah shoots him a glare. 5. INT. CLUTTERED MUSIC ROOM - 'S HOUSE A cold bag of peas held to her head, Amy slips into the room with a glance over her shoulder. She puts both the peas and a key down on a table. A badly-maintained drum set sits in the corner of the room. A hand stops the door as she goes to close it behind her. BEN CLEARWELL Amy. What're you doing in here? The hand belongs to BEN CLEARWELL, 40s with tired eyes, Amy's dad. Amy stands in the doorway, blocking her dad's way. She signs to him without speaking. Ben responds verbally. Where else am I supposed to practise? BEN CLEARWELL Did you sign up for the art class? The principal raved about it. A beat. Amy's eyes flick to the drums. How was work?

12 6. BEN CLEARWELL You signed up for the concert band, didn't you? Amy Give me the key. The auditions are tomorrow - I'll wear headphones, I'll take my hearing aids out - I promise. BEN CLEARWELL Give me the key. Amy's eyes narrow. Her hand clenches on the door handle. Reluctantly hands over the key. Goes to slam the door - but Ben grabs her stick bag off her shoulder. Reflex - she tries to grab it back. Dad! Give it back. Ben signs back, but still speaks while he does. BEN CLEARWELL Amy! Go to your room now. Fine. She storms past him, a backwards glance to the bag. 6. INT. 'S ROOM Amy's room is covered in music memorabilia. She shuts the door and locks it. Muffles a sob. Amy? BEN CLEARWELL Ben knocks on the door - causing a light on Amy's side of the door to flash. Looks to the flashing lights then turns away. She grabs a metronome from her desk. Sits in front of it. There's a photo on the desk of FIVE YEAR OLD and a YOUNGER BEN CLEARWELL. They sit at the drum set, grinning. Another photo, of young Ben at the drums and a woman kissing his cheek. 7. INT. OUTSIDE OF 'S ROOM Ben rests his head against Amy's door. Goes to turn the door handle - stops. Knocks again.

13 7. 8. INT. 'S ROOM Ben knocks from outside. Lights on Amy's door flashes. The metronome ticks - ticktickticktick - a light flashing with each offbeat tick. Amy takes out her hearing aids. In Amy's world - the metronome plays without sound. The light on the metronome flashes. In the background, the light on her door flashes too. Amy amps up the tempo. Faster. Faster. FASTER. 9. INT. 'S ROOM - MORNING Sun comes in through the curtains. The metronome still ticks. Amy wakes up - disoriented. Still in her school uniform. She stares at the sheet music to Steamboat Madness. As she puts her hearing aids in and leaves the room she takes great care in closing the door quietly behind her. 10. INT. HALLWAY - 'S HOUSE Ben is asleep on the floor outside of Amy's room. Amy goes to reach for him - concerned - then sees the sticks bag beside him. She grabs her sticks bag. Amy creeps away, looking intently at the sheet music. 11. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY Amy sits, waiting. Hands drumming against her thighs. She looks over the music for Steamboat Madness. The sound of drumming cycles through her head - all encompassing. There's a distant mumble of a voice, syllables matching the drumbeat. A tap on her shoulder. Sarah sits down next to Amy. Sarah slowly begins to sign something, letter by letter. H - E - L - L - O. Hello. Amy looks at her with a smile as though she's found something treasured and unusual. She replies with a one handed wave - the actual sign for hello. You nervous?

14 8. Sarah's voice distorts. Amy winces, and starts looking in her backpack. Need to change my batteries. Pulls out some batteries. Sarah looks over, then back down the hallway. Amy turns to the music, distracted. Miss Shea walks through the door, heading towards the stage. Amy Clearwell! Follow me. Amy scrambles to her feet and follows, leaving everything aside from her sticks bag and music with Sarah. Sarah looks down - Amy's left the batteries behind. 12. INT. SCHOOL MUSIC ROOM Miss Shea sits down in a chair. Close the door and take a seat. Amy goes to sit on the drum stool. (CONT D) No, no sit here. Miss Shea gestures to the chair in front of her. Amy, confused, does as she asks. A beeping noise starts coming from Amy's hearing aids. Amy pulls at the aids in discomfort. (CONT D) Now you know that this is auditions for the concert band, right? Amy's focus is rigid on the movement of Miss Shea's lips. After a beat - Amy nods eagerly. She clutches her satchel of drumsticks tight in her hands. Amy takes a second. (CONT D) Keep in mind, All Schools is a very tricky competition. But - Amy fumbles with her satchel, and gets up to go to the drums.

15 9. Sit down Amy. Amy stands, hovering by the drums. A beat. (CONT D) You haven't even signed up for music lessons. My dad won't - but - The hearing aids shut off. Silence. The people in my band need to take it seriously. Miss Shea's voice is barely audible. The internal drumbeat that Amy hears begins to match the pace of Miss Shea's voice. Amy trails off, and signs now - desperately communicating in the way she speaks most fluently. (signing only) I need this. Amy takes out her sticks. Goes to play - Enough. Silence. Amy's sticks are frozen, paused above the snare. (CONT D) This competition helps us with funding. It's too - we can't afford to lose. Do you understand? A beat. Amy stands. Mouth open. Processing. (CONT D) Do you understand? Slowly, collectedly, Amy puts her sticks back into her bag. Almost drops them - recovers. She leaves the room, walking steadily. Gains speed.

16 INT. PRIVATE MUSIC ROOM Amy shuts the door too loudly. Pulls the hearing aids from her ears. She sits at the drum set. Grabs out her sticks. 14. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - OUTSIDE PRIVATE MUSIC ROOM Nick and Miss Shea round the corner. Nick holds drumsticks and the music for Steamboat Madness. The sounds of drumming can be heard from a music room. They slow, looking through the glass door. They see Amy, playing like gunfire, a small girl dwarfed by the kit. Miss Shea hesitates. Goes to approach the room - opens the door. She walks inside. 15. INT. PRIVATE MUSIC ROOM Amy spots Miss Shea and stops abruptly. Shadow Nick Darcy. He's the drummer. Watch him, and learn. Rehearsal is this afternoon. Miss Shea points to Nick. Amy is focused on Miss Shea's mouth. Miss Shea shuts the door behind her as she leaves. Amy, still seated at the drum set, shuts her eyes tight. 16. INT. BLACK Inside Amy's head. The echo of drums. Slowing - losing tempo. 17. INT. SCHOOL LOCKERS Amy unlocks her locker. Her stick bag is over her shoulder, with a glance at it, she puts it inside. Goes to close the locker door - - And there's Sarah. Hesitant. Holding Amy's backpack. Amy grabs it, pulling out batteries and changing her hearing aids. Amy catches the end of Sarah's sentence as her hearing aids start working again.

17 11....rehearsal should be fun since we're both in - I'm not in. I'm a shadow. Amy takes the stick bag out of her locker. Hands it to Sarah. (CONT D) Shadows don't play. Amy leaves. Sarah stays, stuck. She looks at the stick bag. There's a faint name sewn onto it - BEN CLEARWELL. 18. INT. STAGE The stage is bustling. There's a heap of chairs and music stands set up, and some students are already sitting and tuning their instruments. The sound is an absolute mush. Percussion gear is up the back - a drum set, timpani, marimba, bass drum. The works. Sarah stands by the marimba - the youngest there by far, aside from Amy. Nick sets up the drums. Amy goes over to him. Nick is, for the first time, looking serious. NICK It seems I have a bit of competition. Amy struggles to hear him over the mush of instruments and chatter. A big musician? NICK A bit of - never mind. A beat. Amy looks frustrated. Nick's eyes flick to Sarah at the marimba, then back to Amy. NICK (CONT D) How's your head? DING. Miss Shea chimes a tuning fork from the front of the room. Amy winces - takes out her hearing aids. First piece - Steamboat Madness.

18 12. Nick turns to Amy, pulls over a chair. Gestures for her to sit. NICK So you're my honorary page turner. No pressure. Amy nods - moves in as close as she can towards the music. Miss Shea raises her conductors baton. Movement at the curtains. Miss Shea stops. Looks. Ben Clearwell enters the stage. Miss Shea goes to speak with him. Tune to concert B flat. A single clarinetist plays the note, and others join in. The smile falls from Amy's face. Miss Shea returns from behind the curtain. Beckons for Amy. Amy gets up, follows. Miss Shea returns to the front of the stage, and Sarah slips away from the band, into the curtains. 19. INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY Ben walks quickly, and Amy follows. She rips a flyer for the All Schools Competition down from the wall. Bangs on the wall - Ben turns around. SLAP. Amy shoves the concert flyer into her dad's chest. BEN CLEARWELL Do you really think this is appropriate behaviour? Ben hands the flyer to Amy. BEN CLEARWELL (CONT D) You refuse to think about your hearing! I always take my hearing aids out, dad. Why can't you let me play? BEN CLEARWELL Drumming isn't going to make you happy - Amy pushes the flyer back at him - interrupting.

19 13. I'm not like you. BEN CLEARWELL - I was the best in my class. And look where I am now. He holds the flyer out, avoiding eye contact. Amy steps back, moves both hands up in front of her - a quick sign, meaning "face me." Her jaw is set, she gives up on speaking and uses sign language only. You gave up. Why don't you just sell your kit? Amy stalks back towards the stage. Ben is left holding the flyer out, trying to hand it off to someone who's no longer there. 20. INT. STAGE CURTAINS Miss Shea intercepts Amy before she makes it onto the stage. Amy stops. If your dad won't let you shadow, I can't either. (CONT D) I'm sorry. Amy turns, leaves. Sarah, still hiding in the curtains, follows. 21. INT. PRIVATE MUSIC ROOM Amy slams the door. Goes through her bag, looking for her sticks. She doesn't have them. The door opens. It's Sarah. Nick stands just behind her. Sarah grabs Amy's shoulder, turning her around. Amy is glassy eyed. Sarah hands Amy the stick bag. Amy holds them tightly - then drops them. Amy signs something at Sarah. She still won't speak. They only see the Deaf in me.

20 14. Sarah opens her mouth, closes it, then pulls Amy in for a hug. Sarah looks at Nick, eyes wide, over Amy's shoulder. The siblings share a glance. Hey - NICK 22. INT. CLUTTERED MUSIC ROOM - 'S HOUSE The afternoon sun comes through the curtains. Ben stands by the drums. His hand ghosts over the cymbal. He adjusts the snare. 23. INT. CONCERT HALL A sign reads "All Schools Concert Band Competition." Family and friends bustle around at the front of the hall. 24. INT. CONCERT HALL - BACKSTAGE The concert band stands in a clump backstage. Miss Shea is at the front. Nick and Sarah share a glance. 25. INT. OUTSIDE OF MUSIC ROOM - 'S HOUSE Loud and angry drumming can be heard from the old music room. Ben, outside the room, sighs. Approaches the door. Opens it. 26. INT. CONCERT HALL STAGE The concert band walks on stage professionally. 27. INT. CLUTTERED MUSIC ROOM - 'S HOUSE The room is empty. A laptop is open on the snare drum, a drum loop playing. A metronome ticks beside it. A note on the laptop reads: I HOPE THIS IS LOUD ENOUGH FOR YOU TO HEAR. Next to the laptop is the All Schools poster and two photos - Amy and Ben, and Ben and a woman at the drums. Ben looks at the pictures - turns, leaves. 28. INT. CONCERT HALL STAGE Nick looks down at the kick drum.

21 15. There's Amy - crouched behind it. Nick smiles, winks. Amy winks back. Amy looks at Sarah from across the stage. Sarah signs something to Amy, very slowly. You got this. Amy stretches her hands, grabs her sticks, then takes out her hearing aids and puts them in her pocket. Miss Shea turns away from the audience. Counts the band in, and at the last second, Nick and Amy move. Nick gets up swiftly, sliding into the seat next to the drums - ready to turn Amy's pages. Amy takes her place at the drum kit. The baton makes its way down - on the downbeat, Amy starts. Miss Shea registers the change. The concert band bursts into action. The piece is percussion heavy and Amy takes the helm. Her hands fly around the drum set, her eyes stay locked on Miss Shea's baton. Slowly, a grin makes it's way onto her face. Miss Shea signals for the song to end, and Amy hits the last cymbal crash. A sharp movement from Miss Shea and the concert band stands. The audience applauds. Miss Shea gives a brief nod to Amy. Amy rises too, panting slightly for breath. 29. INT. CONCERT HALL Ben comes through the door, sees the band standing. He sees Amy. A moment of decision, weighing him down. Slowly, hesitantly, Ben begins to clap by shaking his hands - the Deaf clap. 30. INT. CONCERT HALL STAGE Amy sees Ben - shock. Then, her smile is as if everything has just clicked into place. She claps as well, silently, hands not touching. Everything is silent. THE END CUT TO BLACK.